Heating method and apparatus



Oct, 2, 1951 F. M. FLYNN HEATING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1948 Frank M. Flynn I INVENTOR.

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Oct. 2, 1951 F. M. FLYNN 2,569,809

HEATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1948 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Frank M. Flynn IN VENTOR,

Oct. 2, 1951 F. M. FLYNN HEATING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1948 Fig.3.

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Oct. 2, 1951 F. M. FLYNN HEATING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1948 A a/" 1 n? Fran k M. F Iyn n JNVENTOR.

Attorney:

Oct. 2, 1951 F. M. FLYNN 2,569,809

HEATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 [72 Hill I HHIIH Q A Frank M. Flynn IN VENTOR.

Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEATING. METHOD AND APPARATUS Frank M. Flynn, Binghamton, N. Y. Application May 3, 1948, Serial No. 24,851

7 Claims.

This: invention relates to a heating method and apparatus and has'for its primary object toprovide safe, clean and economical heating for domestic and other uses.

Another object is to avoid the production of soot, ashes and the like, which. is commonly experienced when employing the combustion of fuel for the generation of heat.

Still anotherobject is effectively and economically to convert electrical energy into heat, and to absorb the heat so generated in a suitable heat absorbing and conveying. medium, such as atmospheric air.

The above and other objects maybe attained by employing this invention which embodies among its features while maintaining it at a relatively low pressure, heating a relatively large volume of compressible gas or a mixture of. 00m." pressible gas and water to a relatively high temperature, compressing thegas or mixture so heated to a relatively highpressure, while maintaining said gas or mixture at the relatively high pressure absorbing heat therefrom ina heat con.- veying medium, while subjecting the gas or the mixture to heat, reducing the pressure of the gas or the mixture from which heat has been absorbed and repeating the cycle.

Other features include heating the gas to a temperature of: not less than 7-00 C.,. compressing the heated gas tov a pressureof about 80 1bs. per square inch, While the gas is so compressed absorbing heat therefrom in a heat conveying medium and while subjecting the gas toheat reducing the pressure of the gas from which heat has been absorbed to substantially zero pressure and re-heating it and repeating the cycle.

Still other features include means for heating a relatively large volume of compressible gas or a mixture of compressible gas and water to a relatively high temperature, a compressor connected tothe heating means for compressing the gas or mixture so heated, a heat exchanger unit connected to the compressor into which the heatedandcompressed gas or mixture is delivered from the compressor, means for circulating a heat absorbing and conveying medium about the heat exchange unit to absorb heat from the gas or mixture and deliver it to a remote point, and means connected. to the heat exchange unit and to the heating means for delivering the gas or mixture from which heat has been absorbed in the heat exchange unit to the heating means at a relatively low pressure.

In. the" drawings? Figure 1 is. a perspective; view of an air heat- 2 ing furnace embodying the features of this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along. the line 22 of Figure-l,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3-of Figure 2,

Figure l is a vertical sectionalview taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view through the gas heating unit,

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line. 6.-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7. is an enlarged sectional view through the compressor and drive mechanism therefor,

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along thev line 8-8 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Figure 3; and

Figure 10 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical controls embodied in this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a heating furnace designated generally l-ll comprisesan outer jacket [2 of substantially rectangular form which is provided in one end wall adjacent its bottom with an air inlet opening I4 which is equipped with a conventional air filter l6.

Extending vertically through the. casing 12 near the end remote from the air inlet opening I4 is a partition Wall l8; and formed in the top of the casing adjacent the wall having the air inlet opening is an air d-ischargeopening 20 over which is supported a conventional air filter 22, and which is connected to: any suitable air distributing sytem 24 by means. of which. the air is conducted through conventional ducts to the area or areas to be heated. The space between the partition wall I8: and the end of the casing, 12 containing the air inlet opening IA defines an air heating chamber 25, the walls of which. are equipped with any suitable thermal insulating material 28; The partition. wall l8. defines. between it and the endwall. remote from the air inlet opening M a chamber 30 in which the heat generating elements and compressor are housed. The end wall of thelcasing l2 remote from that having the: air inlet opening M is provided with an access-opening 32- which is closed by a door 34' of any suitable formwhich is so designed as to give access tot-he chamber 30.

Extending horizontally between; the side Walls of the portion of the casing l2: defining the chamber 26 are baflie plates. 36. These baiiie plates are of less length than the interior of the chamber, and alternatea pla-tes-v are: fixed. to opposite end walls of the=chamber to form a tortuous passage therethrough as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure 2. Each bafrle plate comprises upper and lower plates 33 and respectively which are provided with mating grooves 42 of substantially serpentine form, as illustrated in Figure 3, for the reception of the heated gas conveying tube to be more fully hereinafter described. Extending above and below the bafiies 36 between the legs of each bend of the serpentine grooves are heat radiating fins 44. Extending through the passages formed by the mating grooves 42 is a heat conveying tube which is bent to conform to the serpentine shape of the passages, and to form curve connecting lengths 48 by which communication is established between the tubing within the baffles 36. The ends of the tubing 46 are equipped with suitable couplings and 52 for connecting the tubing to the pieces of equipment to be more fully hereinafter described.

Contained within the lower part of the chamber 30 is a gas heating unit designated generally 54. This unit 54 is best illustrated in Figure 5 and comprises a tubular jacket 56, opposite ends of which are equipped with dome-shaped end closures 58, which are provided with aligned openings which align axially with the longitudinal axis of the jacket 56. A helical tube of heat conducting material 62 encircles the jacket 56, and one end 64 of the tube 62 is brazed, I:

welded or otherwise joined to an end closure 58 to form a gas-tight juncture therewith and establish communication through an opening 66 between the tube 62 and the interior of the jacket 56. otherwise fixed to the opposite dome-shaped end closure 58 in surrounding relation with the opening 60 therein, as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure 5. The end of the tube 62 remote from the end 64 is internally screwthreaded as at 68 for the reception of a conventional expansion valve 10 to which one end of the tube 46 is coupled through the medium of the coupling 52. The jacket 56 and the tube 62 surrounding it are contained within a housing 12 by which suitable thermal insulation 14 is held in surrounding relation with the tube 62 and jacket 56.

Supported on suitable spiders 16 which are fixed to opposite dome-shaped end closures 58 in spaced relation to the openings 60 therein is a supporting rod 18 which extends axially of the chamber 56. A helical baffle is supported on the rod 18 and the periphery thereof lies against the inner face of the tubular jacket 56 to form a spiral passage 82 therein. Supported on the helical bafiie 80, and lying in close contact therewith is an electrical heating or resistance element 84 of the type known as Calrod. As illustrated, the electrical resistor or heating element 84 comprises two spaced lengths arranged in spiral formation and joined together at one end of the helical baffle 80, while the opposite ends of the two runs of resistance or heating elements are respectively coupled through the medium of suitable conductors and 88 to binding posts and 92 which extend through the dome-shaped end closure 58 adjacent the discharge tube 66, and are electrically isolated from one another and from the end closure 58. Conductors 94 and 96 lead from the binding posts 90 and 92 respectively and outwardly through the casing 12.

Supported in any suitable manner within the chamber 30 above the heating unit 54 is a com- A discharge tube 66 is welded or :1

pressor designated generally 98 which comprises a cylindrical housing I00, one end of which is closed by an end plate I02. The opposite end of the housing is provided with an end wall I04 having an opening I06 therein. A partition wall I08 extends across the housing I00 in spaced parallel relation to the end wall I04 and is provided with an opening IIO for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter explained. A cover plate H2 is detachably connected to the end wall I04 to close the opening I06 and depending from the underside of the housing I00 in alignment with the partition wall I08 is a wall H4 which is provided at its perimeter with a wall IIB to which the lower end of the cover plate H2 is secured. The wall H4 and the cover plate I52 are formed respectively with aligning openings H8 and I20 with which the pump cylinders to be more fully hereinafter described align. Mounted in suitable anti-friction bearings I22 carried respectively by the wall I08 and the cover plate H2 is a shaft I24 upon which is mounted for rotation therewith a cam wheel I20. This cam wheel is provided adjacent one end with an annular row of internal gear teeth I28, and formed in the periphery of the cam wheel and opening outwardly thereof is an annular cam groove I30. A suitable drive motor I32 is housed within the casing I00 between the end closure I02 and the wall I08, and fixed to the drive shaft I34 of said motor is a drive pinion I35 which has meshing engagement with the teeth I20 so that when the motor is set into operation, the cam wheel I26 will be rotated. Mounted on the drive shaft I34 adjacent the pinion I36 is a spur gear I38 which has meshing engagement with a spur gear I40 which is mounted on and drives a spindle I42 which is journalled in the walls I08 and I04 above the cam wheel I26. Fixed to the spindle I42 for rotation therewith adjacent the wall I08 is a collar I44 to which one set of arms of a conventional centrifugal governor I46 are attached. The opposite set of arms of the governor are connected to a collar I48 which is mounted on the spindle I42 for sliding movement in relation thereto, and carried by the collar I40 is a presser foot I50. Formed in the wall IIB directly above the spindle I42 is an opening I52 which is closed by a plate I54 of a suitable nonconducting material. Extending through the plate I54 are spaced contacts I56 and I58 which as illustrated in Figure 7, are normally out of engagement with one another. The contact I58 however is arranged to be engaged by the presser foot I50 when the speed at which the motor I32 runs exceeds a predetermined value so as to be moved into contact with the contact I56 to close an electrical circuit. The contacts I56 and I58 are coupled through suitable conductors I60 and I62 respectively to the control mechanism to be more fully hereinafter described.

Bolted or otherwise fixed to the wall H4 is a pump cylinder !64, and a similar cylinder I66 is bolted to the cover plate I!2. These cylinders align axially with the openings H8 and I20, and mounted for sliding movement within the cylinders are suitable pistons I68 which are coupled together by a common piston rod I10. Extending radially from the piston rod I10 is an arm I12 which is provided with a cam lug I14 which enters the cam groove I30 so that as the cam wheel I25 rotates, the walls of the groove I30 will-cause the piston rod I10 to reciprocate and coupling 58 of thettubefit. --coupled, and the coupling .52 connected to the expansion valve 110 of the heating .unit 5.4, the

nhance drive-the pistons I 88 within their respective cyl- .inders. Theendsof the cylinders I64 and I remote from the cam wheel I26 are closed .by

suitable heads .116 which are equipped respectively with intake ports I18 and discharge ports I88. Sui-table intake valves I82 are operably mounted in the intake ports I18, to close the ports when thepistons advancetoward the heads $116, and .to open the ports when thepistons move in the reverse direction. Suitable discharge valves I84 are fitted in the discharge ports I88 and are adapted toopen whenthe pistons move toward .the heads H6 in their respective cylinders, and .tocl-ose whenthe-pistons move "in a reverse direction. t'lfhe intake ports in the cylinders I64 .and I.-66.'.are coupled through .a :suitable'maniiold 'lfl6'ato the discharge pipe 66 of the heating unit '54, and the discharge ports I80 are coupled through a suitable-manifold 188 to the With the parts thus housing I2 adjacent the intake opening I4 so'as to createa forcedcirculation of air throughthe chamber 26 around the 'baffies 36, and :as this air -moves around these baffies, heat willbe absorbed from the heatedgaspassing through tube :46 and conveyed through the distributing-unit 24-to the space to be heated.

The device is designed primarily for use inconjunction with-a threephase-electric power supply system the neutral conductor of which is designated I89 while the other two conductors I90 and 1-92 "are arranged in cooperative relation with the conductor I89. A main'electrically actuated control switch designated generally I84 is equipped with'a conventional solenoid coil I98 one terminal of which is couplcdthrough the 'medium of a conductor I68 to the conductor I89, while the opposite terminal of said solenoid is connected through the medium of the conductor I62 to 't-he'contact I58 of the governor control switch previously referred to. The contact I56 of the governor control switch above mentioned is coupled through the-medium of a conductor 280 to the conductor I90 and a conductor 2.8251eads from the conductor I90 to the stationary contact 204 of the main control switch I94. The movable contactZIlS ofthe main switch I94 is coupled through the medium of a conductor 208 .to a terminal 2I0 of a conventional newer actuated'thermally responsive switch "2I2, .the movable contact 2I4 of'WhlCh ,is coupled through the medium of a conductor 2I6 .to one terminal of the motor of fan gISI. The switch ..2.I2 is preferably located within the casi I2 near the discharge opening so that when'the temperature within the casing rises to a predetermined value, the switch 2I2 will close. The terminal of the motor of fan I9I opposite that which is coupled to the conductor 2I8 is coupled through the medium of a conductor 2I8 to the conductor I 89 of the power system. Coupled at any convenient point to the pressure pipe 46 is the cylinder :2-28-;of :a conventional ressure actuatedsw-itch, the :movable contact 222 ;.o';fwhich isadaptedzto be movedaway from the fixedcontact 224' to interrupt the flow ofelectrical power when the pressure within the pipe 46:falls' below a value of eighty pounds-per square inch. The movable contact 222 is coupled through the medium of a conductor 226--to-the conductor 288 and the fixed contact of the pressure actuated switch is coupled throughthemedium of a conductor 228 to the movable contact 238 of a thermally actuated switch 232 whichis adapted to close when the temperature within the space to beiheatedfalls -below avalueof seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit. The stationary contact 234 :of the thermally actuated switch 232 is coupled throughthemedium of --a conductor 236 which leads to the terminal of the-motor I32 opposite that to which the conductor I60 is coupled. The

terminal of the conductor 96 remoteflfromgthat which ;-is coupled to the resistance or heating 1 coi1 84 is coupled to the conductor228,,--and the conductor 94 at ,the'op-posite terminal :of the coil 84 is coupled to thecon-ductor I92. It will thus be seen that when the ,main switch -I-84-is closed and the-pressure actuated switch 220 is likewise closed, electrical energy will-flowyfrom the conductors I30 and I92 throughthe resistance or heating coil '84, thus heating the contents of the heating unit 54. Assuming that the heating system e..the closed circuit defined by the heating unit 154, pump 98 and pipe 46 is filled with .an inert gas such as carbon dioxideKCOz) it-will be evident that the gas contained within the heating unit 54 will attain a very high temperature. approximating 700 to 900 C. Upon the-closing of I the thermally actuated switch, 232, it will be evident that power will be carried -.'from theconductor 189 through the motor I32, thermally controlled switch 232, conductor 228,; pressurcuactuated switch 220'and conductor 226gback through the main switch I94 to the powerconductor I 98 and hence the motel-I32 will be driven to cause the pump or .compressor '98 to compress the heated gas and deliver it into the pipe 416.

Should agbreakdown occur, the governor I46-wi ll cause the :contacts I 58 tov move into engagement with the contacts 156 and close the circuit from the conductor I89 through the conductor I98,

solenoid coil I96 :and conductor I62, back thmughthe, governorcontrol switch throughthe conductor-12 to theoonductor I98 of the power system. In :thiszway, the movable contact 286 will be moved-outof contact with the stationary contact .2164 and break the circuit through the resistance :or heating coil -84. When the temperature within the casing I2 attains approxi- =rn-ately 140 :the thermally responsiveswitch .212 closes, thusestablishing aflow of electrical energy from the conductorIMthr-ough thereonductor 2'I8, motorofthe fan I9I, conductor .2I6,

-:switc h-.2 I2, conductoriZO'B andthence through the =main control switch I94 and conductor 282 back 'tosthe conductor I80 of the power system. 'In

this way thefan or the motor-I will be-setinto operation and theheat-absorbing and conveying medium willbe circulated through the chamber 2'5 around the bailles 38 to absorb-the heat contained-ln -the gas which is conducted-throug'h the pipes 46.

From the above, it is evident that a rapid and efficient heating system employing electrical energy as the heat generating medium has been devised which may be utilized in conjunction with any suitable warm air distributing system.

7 Obviously, if it is so desired, a heat absorbing and conveying medium such as water may be employed with but a slight re-design of the casing l2, and the use of a liquid pump in place of the fan IQ! for circulating the heat absorbing and conveying liquid to the heating system.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

l. The hereindescribed method of heating a heat conveying medium which includes, while maintaining it at a relatively low pressure heating a relatively large volume of compressible gas a to a temperature of not less than 700 0., compressing the gas so heated to a relatively high pressure, while maintaining said heated gas at the relatively high pressure absorbing the heat therefrom in a heat conveying medium, in the presence of heat reducing the pressure of the gas from which heat has been absorbed and repeating the cycle.

2. In a heating system a heating chamber containing a relatively large volume of compressible gas, electrical heating means within the heating chamber for heating the gas to at least 700 C., a heat exchange coil, a compressor coupled to the heating chamber and to one end of the coil for compressing the heated gas and delivering it to the heat exchange coil, an expansion valve mounted on the heating chamber and establishin communication between the opposite end of the heat exchange coil and the heating chamber [or returning the gas from which heat has been dissipated to the chamber at substantially zero pressure, and means for actuating said heating means when the pressure in said heat exchange coil falls below a predetermined value.

3. In a heating system a heating chamber containing a relatively large volume of compressible gas, electrical heating means within the heating chamber for heating the gas to at least 700 C., a heat exchange coil, a compressor coupled to the heating chamber and to one end of the heat exchange coil for compressing the gas and delivering it to the coil at a pressure of about 80 pounds per square inch, an expansion valve mounted on the heating chamber and establishing communication between the opposite end of the heat exchange coil and the heating chamber for returning the gas from which heat has been dissipated to the chamber at substantially zero pressure, and means for actuating said heating means when the pressure in said heat exchange coil falls below a predetermined value.

4. A closed heating system for' a space comprising a first heat exchanger for dissipating heat, a fluid pump having its discharge side communicated with said first heat exchanger, pressure reduction means having its high pressure side communicated with said first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger for absorbing heat communicated with the low pressure side of said pressure reduction means and the inlet side of said pump,

means for heating said second heat exchanger, and pressure-responsive means communicated with said system between the discharge side of said pump and the high pressure side of said pressure reduction means for energizing said heating means when the pressure drops below a predetermined value.

5. A closed heating system for a space comprising a first heat exchanger for dissipating heat, a fluid pump having its discharge side communicated with said first heat exchanger, pressure reduction means having its high pressure side communicated with said first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger for absorbing heat communicated with the low pressure side of said pressure reduction means and the inlet side of said pump, means for heating said second heat exchanger, and pressure-responsive means communicated with said system between the dis charge side of said pump and the high pressure side of said pressure reduction means for energizing said heating means when the pressure drops below a predetermined value, thermal-responsive means disposed in the space to be heated for controllin the actuation of said pump.

6. A closed heating system for a space comprising a first heat exchanger for dissipating heat, a fluid pump having its discharge side communicated with said first heat exchanger, pressure re duction means having its high pressure side communicated with said first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger for absorbing heat communicated with the low pressure side of said pressure reduction means and the inlet side of said pump, means for heating said second heat exchanger, and pressure-responsive means communicated with said system between the discharge side of said pump and the high pressure side of said pressure reduction means for energizing said heating means when the pressure drops below a predetermined value, thermal-responsive means disposed in the space to be heated, said thermalresponsive means and said pressure-responsive means selectively actuating said pump.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said first heat exchanger is disposed in a casing having a discharge aperture, means for circulating heating fluid in said casing and out said aperture, thermal-responsive means disposed adjacent said aperture in the path of flow of said heating fluid for controlling actuation of said circulating means.

FRANK M. FLYNN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,439,340 St. Clair Dec. 19, 1922 1,671,677 Keeton May 29, 1928 2,100,867 Olson Nov. 30, 1937 2,130,089 Hull Sept. 13, 1938 2,135,742 Brace et al Nov. 8, 1938 2,218,793 Horton et al. Oct. 22, 1940 2,313,390 Newton Mar. 9, 1943 2,414,339 Skaggset al Jan. 14, 1947 

